Trump cancels U.S. military parade, says he'll mark Veterans Day in Paris instead

U.S. President Donald Trumpsaid Friday he had cancelled his proposed military parade in Washington andwould instead visit Paris on Nov. 11 to commemorate VeteransDay, after the Defence Department said it had postponed the event to at least next year.

The Republican president had requested a parade to honourU.S. military veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary ofthe end of World War One after marvelling at the Bastille Daymilitary parade he attended in Paris last year.

On Thursday, the Pentagon said the event, planned forNov. 10, would be postponed. A U.S. official saidit could cost more than $90 million US, nearly three times as muchas the White House had earlier estimated.

Critics blasted the cost of the planned parade, which comesas the U.S. is still mired in conflicts overseas and the Pentagon has sought to stabilize an overstretched military.

Trump, in a pair of tweets, said he would instead celebratethe occasion in Paris. He also said he would attend a parade atAndrews Air Force Base in Marylandbut gave no date.

He accused local Washington officials of seeking a"windfall" with a "ridiculously high" price tag for the parade.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowsersuggested the cost to the city alone would have been more than $20 million US.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Bowserrejected Trump's claim the city exaggerated the costs of a proposed parade as "patently false." She said she opposes the parade regardless of the price.

Bowser said that "as a taxpayer" she would rather see that money spent on other ways of honouring the military such as ensuring "no veteran goes homeless."

One group representing veterans weighed in Thursday against the parade.

"The American Legion appreciates that our president wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation's support for our troops," said Denise Rohan, the organization's national commander. "However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible."

The Elysee Palace had no immediate comment on Trump'splanned visit.

With files from CBCNews and The Associated Press